Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain, meteorism, bloating sensation, borborygmus, alternating bowel movements, difficulty in digestion, and in some cases, exhaustion.
The term "irritable" indicates that even conditions that are part of everyday life such as eating, working, and being under stress can result in people with "irritable bowel" in an excessive bowel response.

This seems to be related to an altered communication between the gut and the brain. Between these two organs, in fact, there is a real "exchange" of substances that regulate the proper functioning of the intestine, and if this interaction does not occur, following, for example, stressogenic events (hormonal changes, restrictive diet, psychological and social factors), the
gastrointestinal system could also be affected.
Triggering factors would seem to include the genetic component, infections one was affected by as a child, alterations in intestinal flora, incorrect way of feeding.

But what foods should be reduced or avoided?

All those capable of causing bloating and gas production such as legumes, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes and dairy products if consumed with high frequency. Excessive coffee and tea may also be harmful, as well as many nuts and oil seeds. It is also preferable to reduce the consumption of fruit immediately after a meal to avoid a 'further fermentation process.
It is essential to pay attention to fiber consumption: it is better to reduce the amount of pasta and whole-wheat bread, which, while they may improve the condition of constipation, could exacerbate abdominal pain.
In addition, in IBS sufferers, there would seem to be an improvement in intestinal condition as a result of reducing the consumption of cereals containing gluten; this may be because these foods are able to increase intestinal fermentation processes with production of gas and carbon dioxide. Reducing therefore the consumption of wheat, spelt, barley at the expense of grains such as rice, quinoa, corn, millet, could improve the symptomatology.
In reality, there are no absolute foods that are good for you and others that are bad for you; the diet must be strictly personalized. In the acute phase, however, it might help to carry out an elimination diet: gradually exclude the foods that are thought to cause the most discomfort, evaluate whether symptoms improve, and then slowly replenish them in small amounts.

We learn to listen to the signals our bodies send us.

Dr. Benedetta Matarese